I should've known better than to look—it just messed with my head.Right when I was about to turn away, Jace glanced back, locking eyes with me through the floor-to-ceiling window. His brows were furrowed.I quickly shifted my gaze to Hayden, who'd just handed my phone back after finishing our order. I glanced down at the dishes he picked.To my surprise, they were all my favorite foods.But how could Hayden know what I liked? We didn't know each other that well. Maybe we just had similar tastes?I looked up, ready to ask, but stopped myself. Asking too many questions would make it obvious I cared, and I didn't want to give Hayden that idea.Instead, I casually asked, "Want to drink something?""I don't drink," he declined. "And I've got stuff to do this afternoon."Oh, right. He still had to check out apartments.I figured that's why he wasn't drinking and said, "No worries. I'll come with you this afternoon, so no one's gonna rip you off.""There's no need. I've already..."
If I could've disappeared on the spot, I would've done it in a heartbeat.But I couldn't.And I knew that the longer I dodged this, the more Hayden would overthink it.He was the type who never held back—always said whatever popped into his head, no matter how bold or out-of-line it was. He didn't treat me like an outsider, that was for sure.With that in mind, I forced myself to look up casually. "Really? Words alone don't prove anything.""Mm," Hayden hummed, taking a sip of water. "I can--"The second he started, alarms went off in my head. "Hayden, shut up."I surrendered."I was going to say, if you need proof, I can go to the hospital," Hayden finished.Even though it sounded innocent, it still felt loaded with all sorts of hidden meanings.Why would I need him to prove anything? I wasn't his girlfriend."Save that proof for your future wife," I shot back, standing up abruptly and heading to the restroom.Just as I rounded the corner, a hand grabbed my arm, and the fa
Yeah, Jace was definitely jealous just now.What a jerk. On one hand, he was fooling around with Tanya, and on the other, he wouldn't let go of me. He seriously thought he could have it all.I stayed in the restroom for a few minutes, trying to pull myself together, but when I finally stepped out, I overheard Tanya's voice.She sounded pitiful, almost like she was about to cry. "Jace, you still love Keira, don't you?""She's my fiancée," Jace replied, just confirming what I already suspected—he still had feelings for me."But she's already broken up with you," Tanya's voice was soft.I had to hand it to her—she really knew how to play the helpless card in front of a guy. Even her voice was perfectly tuned to get sympathy."That's just something she said out of anger. I didn't agree to the breakup. Besides, she can't live without me. She's just mad right now; once she cools down, she'll come back," Jace's words caught me off guard.So, he thought the breakup was just me throwing
I spent the whole evening at this little dive bar, from three in the afternoon until nine, just sipping away. I didn't go overboard, but I drank for hours, enough to feel that numb buzz where everything else faded away.The bar's owner, Mr. Seth, knew me well enough by now. I didn't have to worry about getting too wasted, even if I was on my own."When are you heading out? Is someone picking you up?" Mr. Seth asked. I never knew his first name—everyone just called him Mr. Seth.He looked like he was in his fifties. If my dad were still around, he'd probably be about the same age."I guess I should get going," I said, though honestly, the last thing I wanted was to leave.But I had work tomorrow. I needed to get home and at least pretend to sleep. Tonight's drinking was my way of saying a final goodbye to whatever I had left for Jace.I tried to steady myself as I stood up, but Mr. Seth stepped in front of me, blocking my path. "I'm not letting you leave like this. I'll have someo
It felt like forever since I last rode a bike."Bike," I mumbled, pointing at one nearby.Now, we could rent them with just a scan of your phone, so Wayne pulled out his and scanned one.I reached for my phone to scan another, but he stopped me. "You've been drinking—you shouldn't be riding.""They seriously check for drunk driving on bikes now?" I asked, tilting my head."Yeah, they do. And besides..." Wayne gently grabbed my arm. It was so different from Jace, who always gripped hard enough to leave marks. "It's dangerous to ride after drinking."Gentle and kind—those words might as well have been made for Wayne.I smiled. "Isn't that why you're here?""If you want to ride, we can do it some other time. But not tonight. I'll take you," Wayne said, guiding me to the bike he'd just rented.Wayne got on the bike and pulled me onto the back seat. "Hold on tight, okay?"I clutched his shirt around his waist. "Got it."The night breeze brushed against us as we rode. The memory o
This was a situation I definitely hadn't seen coming, and suddenly, everything snapped into focus.It was, honestly, super awkward—being stuck between two guys like this.I knew I had to do something to break the tension, and one thing was crystal clear: there was no way I was starting anything with Wayne.If I had to choose between them, it was gonna be Hayden.I'd almost married Jace; no way could I get involved with his brother after that breakup."Wayne, I'm tired," I said softly.Wayne held onto my hand for a moment longer before finally letting go.Hayden took my hand and started walking, and I didn't look back, but I could feel Wayne's eyes on me the whole time.Whether it was the alcohol or my jumbled thoughts, I wasn't sure, but I ended up tripping on the hotel stairs. The next thing I knew, I was in the air as Hayden scooped me into his arms."Put me down," I demanded, grabbing onto his shirt."If you want him to back off, just stay quiet and don't fight it," Hayden
"Mm."I was about to say something when he added softly, "I can't help it. I can't stop myself from wanting to be close to you, to take care of you, and yeah... even flirt with you."He had a point. If love was something you could control, even gods wouldn't stand a chance against it.For a moment, I didn't know what to say, but Hayden let go of me."Make sure you drink plenty of water when you get inside. And if you need anything, just call me," he said.He pointed at my bag. "Your keycard—I'll get the door for you.""No need," I said, snapping out of my thoughts and stepping back to put some distance between us. "I've got it."I quickly fumbled for the keycard, swiped it, and slipped inside. Leaning against the door, I stood there for a bit, trying to pull myself together.By the time Demi got back, I was already in bed. She moved around quietly, probably trying not to wake me.I kept my eyes shut because I wasn't in the mood to talk. I could hear her muttering under her bre
As expected, Lindey was calling to ask me to come back to the Johnston residence for dinner.I knew the dinner invite was just a cover—she definitely had something else on her mind."I already had your gnocchi, but coming home right now isn't really an option," I said, trying to sound apologetic. "I'm working day and night to meet the deadline at the amusement park. I'll come home once I get a break."Lindey sighed dramatically. "Ugh, Jace is really something. Why's he pushing you so hard? It's not like the world's ending tomorrow. I'll give him a piece of my mind later.""It's not his fault, Lindey. This schedule was set ages ago," I explained.Business was business—Jace has never let our personal issues mess with work."Alright, alright, work's important," she said, though I could hear the disappointment in her voice before she hung up.But what can I do? I really am drowning in work. And even if I weren't, I can't just drop by the Johnston residence whenever I feel like it an